I've just bought the newly-arrived Bachmann Talyllyn 0-4--2ST loco and a couple of carriages.
The loco runs very well, and is finely finished. There is no representation of the backhead, but I expect that driver and fireman figures will mask that.
However, the couplings on the coaches and the loco don't connect. with each other unless they are 'helped'. The coaches, when coupled, derail on a PECO small radius setrack reverse curve. So clearly some work to be done there.
The loco comes with a guarantee form that is valid only for purchases within the USA and Canada – so I've written to Bachmann asking about this.
I'll be interested to know whether any other 'early adopter' of these otherwise very charming models has had similar experiences with the couplings.
Russell
I suspect that the issue is the Peco Setrack - 9" radius - reverse curve. I think
any of the standard 009 couplings would struggle with that.
When you say:
Quotethe couplings on the coaches and the loco don't connect. with each other unless they are 'helped'.
What do you mean by 'helped'?
I have layouts that have extensive hands free shunting of wagons etc.
Every couplings has to work with every other.
Very few work 100% straight out the box, most need some sort of adjustment to make them work faultlessly.
This has always been the case going back to the 1970's and is no different now.
Many are at different heights depending on the make and in some cases the model that require alteration to the height.
However, one more recent issue is with couplings drooping in NEM pockets.
This makes the edge of the loop too low and hit below the sloping part of the next coupling so it does not lift up as it should.
The couplings then need to be set horizontal in the pocket to work properly, hands free.
Regarding the 9-inch points the worst situation is when you have a reverse curve, so a RH point followed by a left hand curve, or the other way around. This will double the fixed coupling overhang that can then lock the couplings causing the vehicles to de-rail.
I always plan layouts with a short straight section between the two curves to avoid this problem. About an inch (2.5cm) is enough.
It can also be avoided (just) if you only have 18-inch reverse curves, so Peco 009 Y points and Peco 009 mainline points.
Anything less than that and you will find problems with some ready to run items depending on the fixed coupling overhang.
It is perhaps worth mentioning that the curves we use on our 009 layouts are a lot tighter than in the real world.
For example the tightest curves on the FR/WHR work out at about 21-inch radius in 009 and the curves on the Talyllyn with its side buffers work out at a massive 52-inch radius in 009!!
Thanks for this. Yes, I have had similar experiences with these and other couplings, but I was surprised that the same manufacturer's couplings wouldn't engage with each other. Adjustments are of course to be made: work already in progress.
I'm aware that the reverse curve formed by two Peco settrack curves is a challenge, but it's one that hasn't affected any of my other stock (Egger, Peco, Liliput and even Bemo.) Well these little coaches just won't have to go there! (It's beyond a run-around section, where they can be left to wait for the return of their loco.)
Regarding the guarantee question, Bachmann responded this morning (that is, very promptly) to explain that although these locos are packaged for the North American market and have a document appropriate only to that, the terms of the overall guarantee scheme for Bachmann Europe will apply.
So that's good to know.
Russell
Quote from: Russell Jackson on August 06, 2025, 15:54....I'm aware that the reverse curve formed by two Peco settrack curves is a challenge, but it's one that hasn't affected any of my other stock (Egger, Peco, Liliput and even Bemo.).....
I am amazed that you have not had issues with the overhang on newer Lilput 0-6-2 rear couplings or with Liliput 4-wheel wagons and coaches with the spring couplings, that is unless you have broken off the plastic rod from the rear of the coupling so they just flop about making remote coupling up an issue!
I have to modify the rear couplings on the newer 0-6-2's to have a swinging arm that self centralizes so they work with everything on Pitztalbahn that has 11-inch curves.
Egger-bahn was designed for 6-inch curves, but their bogies with just two wheels make reversing an issue. But these bogies can be locked in place if the curves are 12-inch or more and 18-inch reverse curves or wider.
Thanks for these thoughts.
I don't now have the Liliput locos, only older wagons and coaches, so that hasn't been a problem. (In fact, I was thinking of the wagons and coeches rather than locos). Yes, Eggerbahn locos and stock have no problem with these curves, which are generous by their standards!
The new Talyllyn coaches have buffers and, with the Bachmann couplings, also appear as close-coupled – so that seems to be the problem. But the failure of a manufacturers' own couplings to engage with one another remains frustrating.
And in any case, I now think that the use of the two Peco curves was a lazy way out of what is after all a not very tight corner: so it's back to the flexible track!
Russell
Julien - I must apologise for missing your question. "Helped' is simply the intervention of the operator (me) with the use of a coffee stirrer or a broader piece of card or plastic. Very unsophisticated!
Russell
That sounds like the loop pivots are a bit too stiff so the loop is not riding up over the peg to me. This is probably down to the moulded plastic loops being brand new, and should be cured by the addition of a little lubricant - I'd suggest a 'dry' lubricant like graphite (though WD40 sell a PTFE spray) - or some very gentle use of a fine file or emery paper to add a bit of 'wear' to make the pivots move more freely.
The other possibility is that the front face of the peg is not angled back enough to allow the loop to lift. Again, that angle can be improved by the careful use of a file file, maybe with a final smoothing off with some fine emery (to remove any roughtness that the loop could catch on).
The other alternative is that the couplings on the loco are a different height to those on the stock which is unlikely given they have both come from Bachmann USA.
Hi Guy's
This may seem a stupid or strange question but Peco small Radius I believe to be 1st radius curve's is that correct.
If this is correct then usually the normal recommended radius is 2nd or above however I've never been a fan of this recommendation but sometimes people don't have a choice so my recommendation is the wider the curve the better
Thanks
Alan
Yes indeed, the wider the better! But in this particular situation the curve has to be tighter – hence the use of the basic Setrack curves. My other locos and rolling stock, even including a Heljan LBR Hudson and two PECO bogie coaches, has no problem with this, though I don't want to use them on this short spur, as the overhang is absurdly unrealistic on the 'reverse' curve. The PECO 4-wheelers have no difficulty though. Nor do a couple of Fourdees 'tramway' coaches.
The advice about couplings is of course appropriate, and steps will be taken. But I do find it very annoying we should have to accept that a manufacturer should deliver quite expensive stock that needs this amount of 'fettling'. Never mind....
Russell
Hi Guys
I've just started to run mine in I've got access to pretty wide curves and seems to run at 1/2 speed wich is pretty fast for the locomotive unfortunately i may not be the best video but the idea is to let everyone see I do run things not just lying in boxes lol https://youtu.be/yIjnrvnOLyY?si=KLALfDrW8Dm6A5B9
Thanks
Alan
Quote from: Russell Jackson on August 11, 2025, 17:57The advice about couplings is of course appropriate, and steps will be taken. But I do find it very annoying we should have to accept that a manufacturer should deliver quite expensive stock that needs this amount of 'fettling'. Never mind....
Russell
Welcome to the world of 009!!
Yes coupling adjustment is critical for hands free use.
I have just spent about over an hour today changing the rear coupling on a Liliput 0-6-2 from fixed in a small box to a self centralising swinging arm so that the loco can be used on my Pitztalbahn layout!
Yes it is a total pain that all manufactures do not test every coupling with every other in their own range, let aloneevery other manufacture. But that is just the way it is with 009 and it always has been!
Thanks,Julien. Yes, in fact we've been here before — about 18 months back, and I took your good advice about Bachmann couplings failing to engage with those of other firms'. This time it's their own rolling stock and loco not working together, which is a bit of a surprise. But the file and the fine-nosed pliers are already to hand!
Why the products should be boxed for the US and Canada market (with the corresponding guarantee) is a minor mystery. Surely not the most likely market for the Talyllyn? But then at the moment international trade in general is in a confused state, so this is one of the least important puzzles.
Russell
Quote from: Russell Jackson on August 13, 2025, 06:42Why the products should be boxed for the US and Canada market (with the corresponding guarantee) is a minor mystery. Surely not the most likely market for the Talyllyn? But then at the moment international trade in general is in a confused state, so this is one of the least important puzzles.
Russell
I think it is because they are in essence a 'de-Thomased' Skarloey.
The HO /OO Bachmann Thomas range was initially not available to the UK (at least officially) because Hornby had (paid quite a bit for) the exclusive licence in the UK, and the lawyers behind whoever runs the Thomas empire (Brit Alcroft?) are very 'protective' of those rights - hence there are all sorts of issues for preserved/heritage railways with putting faces on locos to attract the kiddies.
It is also the case that whilst Bachmann US and Bachmann Europe are parts of the same company they are run very much as separate entities.
And I believe (or guess at least) that is behind the reason why the initial sellers of the Bachmann Thomas models were small businesses that sprung up to do so and it was not the big box sellers. I'm guessing the likes of Hornby could turn around and make the wholesale prices to standard outlets a lot less attractive if they started stocking Bachmann Thomas. Hence why sellers like Tootally Thomas sprung up. Maybe if these new businesses stuck to selling only Thomas related merchandise then they were not seen as competitors to the mainstream model railway sellers.
I wonder who Bachmann USA were aiming at when it came to the Thomas range? I'm not sure it was the target audience for the TV programmes, though I can see that larger scale and 'push along' toys being so. I wouldn't imagine that many adult collectors/modellers would make it worth while (though with the interest in comic books, cosplay and so, maybe?) so I wonder if it might be parents and grandparents wishing to run something to their layouts to entertain youngsters and justifying/promoting railway modelling?
It could of course be that the USA is such a big market compared to the UK and the 'need' to release new models that it was worth taking a chance and that there is sufficient interest in other countries besides the UK where the Thomas licencing arrangements are different?
All pure speculation and going off topic. Sorry.
You might want to have a look at this https://www.unlikelyfandom.com/ - Thomas is big in the US.
Likewise, I'll leave it there.
Quote from: Terry Mowles on August 13, 2025, 23:43You might want to have a look at this https://www.unlikelyfandom.com/ - Thomas is big in the US.
Likewise, I'll leave it there.
Thanks. I guess there are plenty of real Sheldon Coopers then!
Quote from: Terry Mowles on August 13, 2025, 23:43You might want to have a look at this https://www.unlikelyfandom.com/ - Thomas is big in the US.
Likewise, I'll leave it there.
Hi Guys
I really found this interesting all the club's I've been in and involved in I can't ever remember anyone running Thomas and friends yes there was an odd layout from time to time at a show but nothing big although I have been picking up some 009 items of lately please see my YouTube channel for what I've got
Thanks
Alan